I bought a very nice '87 GL about six weeks ago and sold my '76 Westy to
make room for it.  Soon afterwards I subscribed to this list and enjoyed
reading my many e-mails each day.  The ones that got me moving were
related to the type of anti freeze to use, with the emphasis on color
and Phosphate free solutions.  One member said " if its green you got
the wrong stuff" or words similar to that.  I checked and found green
liquid in my solution so I went out to have it replaced with "phosphate
free" antifreeze, namely Texaco brand which is bright orange. My fear,
from reading the list, was that my head gaskets were silently being
eroded along with the heads and block.  Since the procedure involved in
changing the anti-freeze were relatively complex, with numerous warnings
about air pockets, I arranged for my favorite garage to do the work.  I
told them about raising the front of the van to bleed off any air in the
system.  Some time later I went back to the shop and saw my Vanagon with
its REAR end in the air while two technicians were adding water and the
anti-freeze. There comment was that they have done many of these and
this is an acceptable method for venting the air through the expansion
tank. Today, less than twenty four hours later,  the van is back in the
shop because it blew the temperature sensor and split the thermostat
housing. I have nursed Triumph cars for twenty years and have followed
the adage " if it ain't broke don't fix it". Should I do the same with
my Vanagon?  BTW I love to drive this van and am planning to drive from
near Chicago to Sarasota Florida at Christmas.  My confidence has been
shaken!